Card storage, transfer and positioning device for use in conjunction with card retrieval apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved accessory device for increasing the effective card storage capacity of retrieval systems in which edge-notched coded cards are randomly stored in face-to-face upstanding relation on a platen in a card selector apparatus. The accessory device includes a two-piece card tray having a substantially planar bottom panel against which the code-notched edges of the cards rest when stored face-to-face in a vertical disposition, and a retaining structure at least partially surrounding the upstanding cards. The retaining structure is positionable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the bottom panel, thereby facilitating transfer of the cards between the tray and the selector. The retaining structure, when engaged with the bottom panel, cooperates therewith to store the cards in the tray. Alternatively, and when the retaining structure is in the course of being positioned between its engaged and disengaged positions relative to the panel, the retaining structure functions to transfer the cards between a position of support on the bottom panel and a position of support in the card selector. Also included are structural features for improving the positioning of cards and locking the retaining structure both relative to the selector, when the cards are in the selector and positioned by the retaining structure.

United States Patent 1 3,630,354

[72] Inventor Richard C. OBrien Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles Dayton,Ohio Assistant Examiner-Gene A. Church [21] Appl. No. 48,572Attorney-Wood, Herron & Evans [22] Filed Apr. 23, 1970 [45] PatentedDec. 28, 1971 [73 A i K partnership ABSTRACT: An improved accessorydevice for increasing the Ci i Ohio effective card storage capacity ofretrieval systems in which edge-notched coded cards are randomly storedin face-to-face upstanding relation on a platen in a card selectorapparatus.

[54] CARD STORAGE, TRANSFER AND POSITIONING The accessory deviceincludes a two-piece card tray having a DEVICE FOR USE IN CONJUNCTIONWITH CARD substantially planar bottom panel against which the code-RETRIEVAL APPARATUS notched edges of the cards rest when storedface-to-face in a 5 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs. vertical disposition, and aretaining structure at least partially 52 0.5.0 209/805, sumundingupstanding cards The retaining Structure is positionable between engagedand disengaged positions rela- [51] Int. Cl B032 tive to the bottompanel thereby facilitating transfer of the 50 Field of Search 209/805cards between my and the Select The retaining H05, 18,214,152 62271/6213. 206/73: ture, when engaged with the bottom panel, cooperates233/612 therewith to store the cards in the tray. Alternatively, and

when the retaining structure is in the course of being posi- [56]References Ci tioned between its engaged and disengaged positionsrelative to the panel, the retaining structure functions to transfer theUNITED STATES PATENTS 3 285 606 11/1966 J h t I 1 cards between aposition of support on the bottom panel and a 9" 27 /62B posltlon ofsupport in the card selector. Also included are 258,981 6/1882 53/255structural features for improving the positioning of cards and 3,203,1238/1965 Dommy 206/73 x locking the retaining structure both relative tothe selector,

when the cards are in the selector and positioned by the retainingstructure.

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PATENTED W228 um SHEET 3 OF 6 INVENTOR. Wan/[I fiJB/A' ATrom/ErsPAIENTEB 0EC28 Ian SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTOR. BMW (95M ATTQKA EKS' BY Z/MX MCARD STORAGE, TRANSFER AND POSITIONING DEVICE FOR USE IN CONJUNCTIONWITH CARD RETRIEVAL APPARATUS larly to an improved accessory device forcard retrieval systems of the foregoing type which facilitates the deckof cards in a selector to be rapidly and easily interchanged with anyone of a large number of similar decks normally stored in a bankindependently of the selector, thereby effectively increasing the cardstorage capacity of the retrieval system from a single deck to a bank ofdecks.

A card retrieval system of the type with which the improved accessorydevice of this invention finds an extraordinarily high degree of utilityis disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,877 of Robert D. Parry,for ARTICLE SELECTION SYSTEM, issued Nov. 18, 1969. In the Parry system,a plurality of rectangular cards are provided, each having teeth formedalong a sorting edge, preferably the bottom edge, which are selectivelyremovable for coding purposes and which are spaced from each other byintermediate registration notches. The cards are also provided with alock notch and removed corner section. The lock notch and removed cornersection are positioned along the sorting edge between the group ofremovable teeth and their associated registration notches, and anadjacent transverse card edge herein termed the trailing edge."

The card further includes a ferromagnetic implant or chip mounted in thetransverse edge of the card opposite the trailing edge, herein termedthe leading edge.

A plurality or deck of cards, numbering up to approximately 2,000 cards,are randomly stored in face-to-face vertical relation in a card selectorapparatus. The card selector apparatus is provided with a horizontallydisposed planar slotted platen which supports the upstanding cards. Theorientation of the platen and cards relative to each other is such thatthe codenotched sorting edges of the randomly stored cards rest on theplaten with their sorting edges transverse to the platen slots. Disposedin the platen slots are a plurality of code, or sort, bars correspondingin number to, and aligned with, the registration notches formed by thespaces between the codenotchable teeth. The sort bars, which normallyare positioned with their upper edges flush with the top surface of theplaten, are selectively elevatable to an upper, or set, position whereintheir upper edges protrude above the platen into the associated cardregistration notches of the stored cards. Located parallel to the sortbars and opposite the lock notches of the stored cards is a transverselydisposed lock bar which is selectively elevatable to a card lockposition. In the card lock position the lock bar is susceptive of beingpositioned in the lock notches of those cards whose lock notches arealigned with the lock bar. An elongated magnet is transversely disposedrelative to the stored cards opposite and in alignment with theferromagnetic chips implanted in the leading edges of the cards. Theelongated magnet is mounted on a drawerlike structure for movementtoward and away from the implanted ferromagnetic chips of cardspositioned in their normal stored position on the platen, that is, themagnet is mounted for movement in a direction parallel to the sortingedges of the stored.

Cards selection in the Parry retrieval system is effected in twosequential steps, namely, an initial separation step and a further orfinal separation step. The initial separation step is accomplished byelevating or setting the sort bars in a pattern conforming to theremoved tooth pattern of the desired card or cards, and thereaftermoving the magnet a distance equal to one tooth in a direction parallelto the sorting edge. Ideally the desired cards, that is, the cardshaving a removed tooth pattern conforming to that of the set sort bars,shift laterally in the direction of their sorting edges a distance equalto the width of one tooth, and in so doing align their removed cornersections in the trailing edge with the lock bar. This movement ispossible because the teeth of the desired cards located adjacent to theset sort bars are removed by virtue of the codenotching process. Theundesired cards, that is, those cards with a nonconforming removed toothpattern, are not free to move in a direction parallel to their sortingedge, and consequently remain stationary, leaving their trailing edgelock notches aligned with the lock bar, Once initially separated, thedesired cards are further separated from the undesired cards by movingthe magnet further in a direction parallel to the card-sorting edges anadditional distance, the magnitude of which depends on the amount ofseparation between the selected and unselected cards which is ultimatelydesired.

However, prior to moving the magnet the additional distance necessary toeffect further separation of the desired and undesired cards, the lockbar is elevated to engage the lock notches of the unselected cards whichhave remained stationary and aligned with the lock bar during theinitial phase of magnet movement. The elevated lock bar does not engagethe lock notches of the desired cards because these cards, in the courseof the initial separation phase of the retrieval process, shiftedlaterally, that is, parallel to their sorting edges, relative to theundesired cards a distance sufficient to locate the lock bar intransverse registry with the removed corner sections of the desiredcards. With the lock notches of only the undesired cards engaged by theset lock bar, the sort bars are reset and the magnet moved further in adirection parallel to the sorting edge. This further separates thedesired cards from the undesired cards which are positively restrainedfrom movement by the lock bar which engages their lock notches. Thus,the lock bar positively prevents, during the final separation step,selection of undesired cards.

The Parry card retrieval system provides rapid and reliable cardretrieval to a degree heretofore unknown by virtue of its ability tosimultaneously search all cards in the deck positioned in the selectorand positively lock or restrain movement of undesired cards. It has beenfound that in certain applications the Parry system can be of evengreater benefit by using a single card selector apparatus with a vastlylarger number of cards than is possible to store in the card selectoritself. In this way the conveniently useful storage capacity of a systemusing a single selector, which is more or less limited to the 2,000-card capacity of the selector apparatus itself, can be increased by alarge multiple without increasing the cost of the card retrieval system,which to a large extent is determined by the cost of the card selectors.Such an increase in effective storage capacity of single selector cardretrieval systems without unduly increasing the cost of the equipmentutilized in the system has been accomplished by utilization of anaccessory device disclosed and claimed in the copending application ofRobert D. Parry, deceased, for Card Storage, Transfer, and PositioningDevice for Use in Conjunction with Card Retrieval Apparatus, Ser. No.826,090, filed May 16, 1969. The Parry accessory device permits a singlecard selector apparatus to be used in combination with a plurality ofindividual card decks normally stored in a bank independently of thecard selector, the card decks each being stored in identical accessorydevices, or trays, which facilitate rapid and easy interchange of thecard decks with the selector.

The Parry accessory device, or tray, is generally two piece in design,including a substantially planar bottom panel against which the sortingedges of the cards rest when vertically disposed in face-to-facerelation, and a retaining structure enclosing the deck of upstandingcards on three sides and the top which is positionable between anengaged and disengaged position relative to the bottom panel. Theretaining structure, when engaged with the bottom panel, cooperatestherewith to store the cards in the tray, and when in the course ofbeing positioned between the engaged and disengaged positions, functionsto transfer the cards between a position of support on the bottom paneland a position of support on the platen of the card selector, therebytransferring the cards between the tray and the selector.

In operation, and assuming the absence of any cards in the selector, anyone of the decks of cards in the bank can be operatively positioned inthe selector by merely removing from the bank the tray containing thedesired deck and positioning it relative to the selector such that thebottom panel thereof is substantially coplanar with the upper surface ofthe platen. This done, the retaining wall structure is moved relative tothe bottom panel from its engaged position, wherein it cooperates withthe panel to store the cards in the tray. to its disengaged position,wherein it is located in the selector. In the course of this relativemovement of the bottom panel and retaining structure, the retainingstructure slides the deck of cards, which it surrounds, off of thebottom panel and onto the platen of the selector, thereby completingtransfer of the cards to the selector. The bottom panel is nowdisassociated from the selector, and card selection can commence.Transfer of the cards from the selector to the tray is effected byreversing the foregoing steps.

To facilitate positioning the bottom panel of the tray substantiallycoplanar to the upper surface of the platen as is useful to effect cardtransfer, the drawerlike structure of the Parry card selector, whichmounts the transverse magnet used in selecting cards, is preferablyfirst moved to its outermost position. In this position the drawercooperates with the platen to support, in the desired coplanar relation,the bottom panel of the tray which is positioned thereon.

In the preferred embodiment of the Party tray, the retaining structure,which encloses the card deck on three sides and the top, is designed tobe removably mounted in the selector such that horizontally extendinglips projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the retaining structureslidably seat in horizontal guide slots formed in vertical guide blocksmounted to the selector platen. When so positioned, the top of theretaining structure overlies the top edges of the cards in the selectorand as such limits travel of the upper edges of the cards in thevertical direction. Limitation of card movement in this manner maintainsthe lower sorting edges of the cards in proper relation to the platenand associated sorting bars, thereby insuring the proper interactionbetween the sorting edges and the sorting bars which interact with thesorting edges to retain undesired cards during the selection process.

If the top of the retaining structure which overlies the upper edges ofthe cards is too low relative to the platen; i.e. is insufficientlyspaced therefrom, the top will clamp the cards between itself and theplaten, preventing cards which should be selected from being selected.This type of missort is termed a false rejection." If the top of theretaining structure is too high, i.e. spaced too far from the platen,the cards are free to rise during the selection, disengaging their lowersorting edges from the sorting bars, permitting selection of cards whichshould be rejected. This type of missort is termed a false selection."To prevent false rejections and false selections, it is essential thatthe top of the tray which overlies the upper card edges be spaced at afixed, predetermined distance from the platen on which the lower sortingedges of the cards rest when in the selector.

One area for improvement of the Parry tray which has been found to existrelates to providing the tray with an improvised means for holding to afixed value, which is relatively independent of dimensional variationsin the tray and/or selector, the upper limit of card movement in thevertical direction permitted by the top of the card retainer section ofthe tray when the cards and tray are in a selector. With the Parry traywherein the retaining structure of the tray is supported in the selectorby the engagement of lips formed on the retainer sides with slots formedin guide blocks mounted on the platen, the location of the retainer topwhich limits upward movement of the cards relative to the platen, isdependent on the distance between the platen and the guide slots formedin the blocks which are mounted on the platen, and the distance betweenthe retainer lip and the top of the retainer. Since each of thesedistances is subject to variation due to normal manufacturingdimensional tolerances, in one case the variation being due todimensional variation in the selector and in the other case tovariations in the tray, it is not uncommon with Parry-type trays when ingiven selector to produce upper limits of card travel which are markedlydifferent and which are not all within prescribed limits of variation,thereby leading to missorts of types noted.

it has been an objective of this invention to provide improved trays ofthe Parry type which can be interchanged one for another relative to agiven selector and/or utilized with different selectors, withoutproducing undesirable dimensional variation, from tray to tray andselector to selector, in the spacing between the top of the trayretainer which overlies the upper card edges and the selector platen onwhich the lower card-sorting edges rest. This objective has beenaccomplished in accordance with certain principles of this invention byproviding a tray with an improved retainer having sides which (a) seatdirectly on the platen and (b) are spanned by a vertically adjustablehorizontal reference bar overlying the upper card edges. By virtue ofthis unique combination of features the possible sources of variation inthe spacing between the top of the retainer which limits upper travel ofthe cards and the platen on which the cards rest has been reduced fromthe two sources noted earlier, namely, variations in lip and guide slotlocation, to one source, namely variation in the height of the retainersides. However, by placing the retainer on a selector platen duringassembly and adjusting the reference bar in a vertical direction to thedesired height or spacing above the platen, variations introduced byeven this one source of error are eliminated since the retainer once soadjusted will always reproduce such reference bar height or spacing fromthe platen regardless of the selector with which the tray is used. Thus,a tray is provided having a retainer which is completely interchangeablewith respect to selectors in that regardless of which combination oftray and selector is used, the predetermined upper limit of travel ofthe cards determined by the one-time factory adjustment of the verticalheight of the reference bar is a constant from tray to tray and selectorto selector.

An additional and also very important advantage of the improved tray ofthis invention is that the retainer sides, since they rest directly onthe platen of the selector, can be appropriately notched along theirlower platen-contacting edges at a point opposite the lock bar tothereby facilitate engagement of the elevated or set lock bar with theretainer during the final separation phase of the card selection cycle.Such engagement of the retainer and elevated lock bar prevents thereturn, during the final sorting phase of a card-retrieving cycle, frombecoming misplaced within the selector such as could otherwise occur dueto frictional drag effects exerted on the retainer by selected cardsbeing withdrawn from the selector. Thus, by virtue of having theretainer sides rest directly on the platen, the retainer can be easilyand conveniently notched to engage the lock bar and thereby maintain theretainer in position during the final phase of the card selectionprocess in much the same manner as undesired cards are retained in theselector during the selection process.

It has been a further objective of this invention to provide an improvedtray of the Parry type having a simply constructed and easily operatedcover for engagement with the tray to prevent surreptitious removal ofdocuments located within a tray stored in a bank of similar trays remotefrom the selector. This objective has been accomplished in accordancewith certain other features of the invention by providing, incombination with a tray having an elongated rectangular bottom panelwith upstanding side members and a retainer having upstanding sidepanels and an interconnecting back panel, a cover having (a) connectedfront, top and side panels adapted to enclose the side members and theotherwise open front and top of the retainer, (b) lugs extending fromthe coversides which engage the side members of the bottom panel toprevent relative sliding movement between the cover and bottom panel,and (c) lock members extending horizontally from the coverside panels toengage the retainer sides, thereby locking the cover relative to theretainer and, via the engaged lugs, to the bottom panel.

These and other advantages and objectives of the invention will be morereadily apparent from a detailed description of a preferred embodimentthereof taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retrieval system incorporating theimproved card tray of this invention.

FIGS. 2A-2E are schematic side elevational views of a card selector withwhich the improved tray of this invention is useful showing therelationship, during different phases of a card retrieval cycle, of thetransverse magnet, lock and sorting bars, and desired and undesiredcards.

FIGS. 3 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a preferredembodiment of the improved tray of this invention showing thecard-retaining structure and cards thereof partially disengaged from thebottom panel of the tray.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partially cut away, of the tray.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tray with the bottom panelthereof supported coplanar to the upper surface of the platen by thedrawer and platen.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of the trayshowing the relationship of the various components thereof with respectto the selector apparatus during different phases of the process oftransferring a deck of cards from the tray to the selector.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the card selector prior to aretrieval cycle.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view, partially cut away, showing the cover inlocked engagement with the tray.

Referring to FIG. 1, a card retrieval system is depicted of the generaltype disclosed in previously referenced Parry US. Pat. No. 3,478,877.The entire disclosure of the Parry US. Pat. No. 3,478,877 isspecifically incorporated herein by reference. The retrieval system ofFIG. 1 is seen to include a keyboard control console 10, a card selectorl2, and a bank 14 of card decks 16a, 16b stored in individual trays, tobe described, which are conveniently located for easy removal in a case18. The card selector 12 includes enclosed within a housing 13 astationary horizontally disposed planar platen 20 which supports a deckof randomly stored vertically disposed cards 22. A transversely disposedelongated magnet 24 common to all the cards 22 and in alignment withferromagnetic chips 23 implanted in the cards is secured to a drawerlikestructure 26 for sliding movement between an outer position (FIGS. 1 and6-9) to which desired cards are advanced in a manner to be described andan inner position (FIG. 10) in which the magnet 24 is in contact withthe ferromagnetic implants 23 when the cards are stored in their normalposition as shown in FIG. 1.

As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2E, the cards 22 each have a toothed sortingedge 32, preferably the lower edge thereof, provided with alternateteeth 34-1 to 34-6 and registration notches 35-1 to 35-6. Each of theteeth 34-] to 34-6 is susceptive of being encoded by selective removal,as by notching, of the respective tooth. The sorting edge 32 furtherincludes a lock notch 36 located between a group of encodable teeth 34and registration notches 35, and the transverse card edge 38 hereintermed the trailing edge. Adjacent to the lock notch 36 is a removedportion 40 of the card located intermediate the lock notch 36 and thetrailing edge 38. The card 22 further includes the ferromagnetic chip 23implanted in the card at the corner of the sorting edge 32 and atransverse edge 44 herein termed the leading edge.

When the cards 22 are in their normal unselected position on the platen20 of the selector 12, the registration notches 35-1 to 35-6 and thelock notch 36 are aligned with a plurality of transversely disposed sortbars 48-1 to 48-6 and the lock bar 50 which are disposed transverse to,and in common with, all the cards. Both the sorting bars 48-] to 48-6and the lock bar 50 are appropriately positioned in slots formed in theupper surface of the platen 20. The bars 48-] to 48-6 and 50 areelevatable from a reset position wherein their upper edges are flushwith the upper surface of the platen to a set position wherein theyenter their associated notches 35-1 to 35-6, and 36, respectively, ofcards located in the storage position. Elevation of the bars 48-1 to48-6 and 50 is effected by solenoids (not shown) controlled by thekeyboard console 10.

To select a card or cards 22 having a particular code, for example, acard 22a having teeth 34-2 and 34-6 removed, from among a group of cards22b not having teeth 34-2 and 34-6 removed, the appropriate sort bars 48are elevated to the set position. Specifically, sort bars 48-2 and 48-6corresponding to the removed tooth pattern of the desired card 220 areelevated to the position shown in FIG. 28. With the sort bars 48-2 and48-6 in a set position, the desired cards 22a having teeth 34-2 and 34-6removed can be laterally shifted in the direction 46a of arrow 46 adistance equal to the width of one tooth, to produce an initialseparation of the desired cards from the undesired cards. However, theundesired cards 22b not having tooth 34-2 and/or tooth 34-6 removed arerestrained from lateral movement in the direction 46a of arrow 46 by oneor both of the set or elevated sort bars 48-2 and 48-6, which, in theset position, mechanically interfere with the unremoved teeth 34-2 and34-6 of the undesired cards 22!).

With the sort bars 48-2 and 48-6 conforming to the removed tooth patternof the desired card 22a in the set position, the magnet 24 is shifted inthe direction 460 of arrow 46 a distance equal to the width of one toothto the position shown in FIG. 2C. Those cards free to shift, namely, thedesired cards 22a move with the magnet 24 a distance of one tooth width,effecting an initial separation of the desired and undesired cards.Movement of the desired cards 22a in this fashion aligns the removedportion 40 of the desired cards in front of the lock bar 50. Theundesired cards 22b do not move in the direction 46a of arrow 46 byreason of the engagement of one or more of their unremoved teeth 34-2and 34-6 with the set sort bars 46-2 and 46-6, respectively.Consequently, the lock notches 36 of the undesired cards 22 b remainaligned with the lock bar 50.

Further separation of the desired cards 22a from the undesired cards 22bis effected by elevating to a set position the lock bar 50, and to anunset position the sort bars 48-2 and 48-6, as shown in FIG. 2D. Settinglock bar 50 positively prevents the undesired cards 22b from moving inresponse to the continued movement of the magnet 24 in the direction 46aof arrow 46. Resetting or lowering the set sort bars 48-2 and 48-6 afterthe initial card separation phase enables the selected cards 22a tocontinue movement in the direction 46a of arrow 46 in response tomovement of the magnet 24 in this direction, the desired cards 220 beingfree to move in this direction by reason of the removed portion 40thereof being aligned with the elevated or set lock bar 50. With thelock bar 50 set and the sort bars 48 all in their lower, reset position,the magnet 24 is advanced further in the direction 46a of arrow 46 tothe position shown in FIG. 2E, further separating the desired cards 22afrom the undesired cards 22b.

The improved trays of this invention in which the decks of cards 16a,16b are individually stored in the bank 14 and which are used totransfer the cards from the bank to the selector 12 are best shown inFIGS. 1 and 3-6. Referring to these figures the trays are seen toinclude a substantially planar bottom panel 51 and a card-retainingstructure, or retainer, 52. The bottom panel 51 is generally rectangularin shape having a length substantially coextensive with the length ofthe platen 20 of the selector l2, and a width slightly in excess of thelength of the sorting edge 32 of a card 22 as best shown in FIG. 6. Thebottom panel 51 of the tray is preferably fabricated of sheet metal andprovided with an elongated parallel lip 54 which projects downwardlyfrom the panel SI at the rear edge thereof. The vertical dimension ofthe read lip 54 is selected such that the upper surface 55 of the panel51 is coplanar with the upper surface 56 of the platen 20 when the loweredge of the lip 54 rests on a suitably disposed transverse ledge 57formed in the front edge of the platen by removal of the corner thereofand the front edge 53 rests on a suitably vertically located, rearwardlyprojecting ledge 59 formed in the drawer 26.

The bottom panel 51 is also provided with horizontal reinforcing bars60, 61, and 62 fixedly secured to the bottom surface thereof at pointsadjacent the front edge 53, middle, and rear lip 54 of the front panel,respectively. Vertical side mem bers 63, 63 of composite sheet metalconstruction, are fixedly secured to and extend from opposite side edges65, 65 of the bottom panel 51. The side members 63, 63 each haveoutwardly horizontally extending lips 66, 66 which function as carryinghandles, and inwardly horizontally extending lips 67, 67 the function ofwhich will become apparent hereafter.

The retaining structure 52 includes spaced parallel upstanding oppositesheet metal side panels 70, 70, and integral rear and top panels 73 and75, respectively, connecting the side panels. A horizontal rod 76 aboutwhich the forward edge 75a of the top panel 75 is partially wrappedconnects the opposite side panels 70, 70 at their upper edge regionssubstantially midway between the front and back thereof in a manner suchthat the upper regions of the side panels are urged toward each othersandwiching the leading edge of the top panel therebetween. A horizontalrod 77 about which the lower edge 73a of the rear panel 73 is partiallywrapped connects the opposite side panels 70, 70 at their rear edgeregions near the bottom thereof in a manner such that the rear regionsof the side panels are urged toward each other sandwiching the rearpanel therebetween. A plurality of clamp strips 79 of angulated crosssection are secured along their upper edge regions 79a to the insidelower margin of the rear panel 73 by suitable means such as spot welds.The lower edge regions 79b of strips 79 clamp the rod 77 to the loweredge region of the rear panel 73.

Positioned between the side panels 70 and 70 of the retaining structure52 are a plurality of partitions or divider panels 78, which when thecards are both stored in the tray and operatively supported on theplaten 20 in the selector 12, as well as when the cards are beingtransferred between the selector and tray, function to maintain thecards in a substantially vertical position. To secure the partition 78in operative association with the retaining structure 52, the partitionsare fabricated in pairs from C-shaped sheet metal blanks with each legof the blank constituting a partition. The central section 80 of theC-shaped sheet metal blank is secured to the rear panel 73 to fixedlymount the partitions 78 to the retainer 52.

The side panels 70, 70 are each provided on their lower edges with frontand rear feet 85 and 86, respectively, secured by screws 87 which passthrough holes formed in the feet and threadly engage the panels 70, 70.The lowermost edge of panels 70, 70 seat on horizontal ledges 85a and86a formed in feet 85 and 86, respectively. Feet 85 and 86 are seateddirectly on the upper surface 56 of the platen 20 when the retainer 52is positioned in the selector, as well as seat directly on the uppersurface 55 of the bottom panel 51 when the retainer and bottom panel areassembled. The feet 85 and 86 preferably are fabricated of low-frictionmaterial, such as Teflon, to facilitate sliding the retainer on and offthe Teflon, 20 and bottom panel 51. Both the front and rear feet 85 and86 are provided with notches 88. Notches 88 are spaced at horizontalintervals equal to that of the sort bars 48 of the selector, and havenotch heights, or depths, at least equal to the vertical displacementabove the upper surface 56 of platen 20 of the upper edge ofa set, orelevated, sort bar 48. The rear feet 86 are provided with a rearmostnotch 89 of depth at least equal to the vertical displacement above theupper surface 56 of platen 20 of the upper edge of the lock bar 50 whenin its set, or elevated, position. The notches 88 and notch 89 arelocated relative to the lower rear vertical edge portions 90 of the sidepanels 70, 70 such that when the retainer 52 is in its operativeposition in the selector 12 and edge portions abut the verticallyextending rear wall 91 disposed transverse of the platen 20 parallel tothe sort and lock bars 48 and 50, the notches 88 and notch 89 overliethe sort bars 48 and lock bar 50, respectively.

To facilitate adjustment of the feet 85 and 86 in a horizontal directionparallel to the side panels 70, 70, the holes in feet 85 and 86 throughwhich the screws 87 pass are dimensioned to be oversized relative to thescrew shank, allowing limited relative movement in a horizontaldirection parallel to the side panels 70, 70 between the feet and thescrew and side panel combination.

Feet 85 and 86 are provided with horizontal ledges 85a and 860 which,when the retainer 52 is positioned on the bottom panel 51, underlie theinwardly extending lips 67, 67 with which they are respectivelyproximately associated. The underlying relationship of the ledges 85aand 86a of retainer feet 85 and 86 relative to lips 67, 67 of bottompanel 51 limit upward vertical movement of the retainer 52 relative tothe bottom panel 51 when the retainer overlies the bottom panel.

A reference bar 95 interconnects and spans the side panels 70, 70 at theupper rear region thereof. The reference bar 95 is secured between theinner surfaces of the side panels 70, 70 by means of screws 96,96 whichpass through vertical elongated slots 97, 97 formed in the side panelsand threadly engage holes axially disposed in bar 95. The elongatedslots 97, 97, in which the screws 96, 96 are free to slide verticallywhen loosened, facilitate adjustment of the vertical displacement xbetween the upper surface 56 of the platen and the lowermost surface ofthe bar 95 when the retainer 52 is operatively positioned in theselector 12 with its feet 85, 86 in direct contact with the uppersurface 56 of the platen. ln practice the bar 95 is adjusted at the timeof tray manufacture by placing the retainer 52 in a selector with feet85, 86 directly on platen surface 56. With the retainer 52 and selector12 so positioned, the bar 95 is fixed in position via screws 96, 96relative to the platen surface 56 at a vertical height x, the height atbeing established by using gage blocks, or the like, placed on platensurface 56 at a point underlying the bar 95. Once the bar 95 is set atthe desired height x and fixed relative to side panels 70, 70 bytightening screws 96, 96, the bar 95 will always be located at theproper height relative to the upper platen surface regardless of theparticular selector in which the retainer is placed. Thus, by virtue ofseating the side panels 70, 70 via feet 85, 86 directly on the platensurface 56 and providing the bar 95 whose vertical position can bepreset at the time of manufacture at a desired height x relative to theupper platen surface 56, and hence relative to the feet 85, 86 and sidepanels 70, 70, the upper limit of travel in the vertical direction ofthe upper edges of cards located in a selector in which the retainer 52is positioned is constant at a predetermined distance above the upperplaten surface regardless of the particular retainer sued with a givenselector or vice versa.

To permit individual cards 22 to be selectively inserted into or removedfrom a deck when the deck is stored in the tray, a pivotal handle 108 isprovided. The handle 108 includes a horizontal central portion 109disposed transversely to the partitions 78 and side panels 70 and 70.Handle 108 also includes a pair of parallel end sections 110, 110 whichat one end are pivotally mounted to the side panels 70, 70 by pins 111and at the other end secured to the opposite ends of the center portion109. The pivotal handle 108 is movable between a lower position depictedin solid lines in FIG. 3, wherein insertion or removal of cards from thedeck stored in the tray is prevented, and an upper position shown inphantom lines in FIG. 3 wherein card insertion and/or removal from thedeck is possible. in the lower position downward pivotal movement islimited by engagement of pins 112, 112 fixed to and projectinghorizontally outwardly from arms 110, 110 and open slots 113, 113 formedin the upper edges 66, 66 of the side members 63, 63 of the bottom panel51. Engagement of pins 112, 112 and slots 113, 113 also functions toprevent relative sliding motion between a retainer 52 and a bottom panel51 when the former is positioned in overlying relationship to one latterwith retainer feet ledges 85a, 86a underlying bottom panel lips 67,67.

Assuming the selector 12 is devoid of cards 22 and of the retainingstructure 52, a deck of cards 22 stored in a tray located remotely fromthe selector 12 in the case 18 is transferred to the selector inoperative relationship with the platen 20, sorting bars 48, and lock bar50 in a manner to be described. Specifically, the tray containing thedeck to be transferred is removed from the case 18 and brought to theselector 12 and the drawer 26 is moved to its outer position. The trayis then positioned in the selector 12 as shown best in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8with the lower edge of lip 54 resting on ledge 57 formed in platen 20and the front edge 53 of panel 51 resting on inwardly extending ledge 59of drawer 26. With the bottom panel of the tray so positioned, the uppersurface 55 thereof is substantially coplanar with the upper surface 56of the selector platen.

The pivotal handle 108 is now raised sufficiently to disengage pins 112,112 from slits 113, 113, thereby permitting the retainer 52 to be movedrearwardly relative to the bottom panel 51. However, the pivotal handle108, while raised to disengage pins 112, 112 and slots 113, 113 is keptat a point such that central arm 109 remains low enough to abut theleading edges 44 of the cards when the arm 109 is urged rearwardly in adirection parallel to the sorting edges of the cards. As the arm 109 isurged rearwardly, the retainer side panel feet 85 and 86 slide off thebottom panel 51 and onto the platen surface 56, causing the retainingstructure 52 to move from a position overlying the panel 51 to aposition overlying the platen 20. Additionally as the arm 109 is urgedrearwardly, it abuts the leading edges 44 of the cards 22 initiallysupported by the upper surface 55 of the bottom panel 51, causing themto slide along with the retainer 52 from the bottom panel onto the uppersurface 56 of the platen 20, as shown best in FIG. 8. Rearward movementof the arm 109 is continued until the rear edge portions 90, 90 of theside panels abut rear platen wall 91. At this point the retainer 52 isproperly located in the selector 12 with notches 88 and 89 properlyoverlying sorting bars 48 and lock bar 50. Also, the reference bar 95 ispositioned above platen surface 56 at the preset distance x to limitupward travel of the cards.

When the retaining structure 52 and the cards carried thereby have movedfrom the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8, thebottom panel 51 may be removed from its position supported by the ledges57 and 59, and the pivotal handle 108 can be swung from its slightlyelevated position shown in FIG. 8 to its upper position shown in FIG. 9.With the bottom panel 51 removed and the pivotal handle 108 in its upperposition, as best seen in FIG. 9, the drawer 26 can be returned to itsinnermost position with the magnet 24 thereof contacting theferromagnetic implants 23 of the cards 22, as best shown in FIG. 10,which will fore any protruding cards rearwardly so that their rear edges38 will engage the abutment 91, wherein the code notches 35 and locknotch 36 of the cards 22 properly overlie the sort bars 48 and lock bar50. With the drawer 26 and magnet 24 so positioned, the card selectioncycle described previously in connection with FIG. 2A-2E may beinitiated.

Transfer of cards from the selector to the tray for storage in the case18 is accomplished by performing the foregoing steps in reverse order.

A cover 120 adapted to securely enclose a tray 16 disassociated from theselector 12 to prevent removal of cards 22 from such tray is provided.The tray cover includes integral sheet metal top and opposite sidepanels 121 and 122, 122. Top cover panel 121 is dimensioned to at leastoverlie the area defined by the spaced upper edges of opposite retainerside panels 70, 70. The upper edge of the rear panel 73 which spans theupper edges of the retainer side panels 70, 70 at the rear thereof, andan imaginary line joining the upper front corners of opposite retainerside panels 70, 70. The cover side panels 122, 122 are designed toenclose the major portion of the retainer side panels 70, 70 when thecover is positioned as shown in FIG. 11 with cover top panel 121overlying the top 75 of the retainer 52. The cover also includes a frontpanel 124 secured at its top and opposite side edges to the front edgesof the top panel 121 and side panels 122, 122 respectively. The frontpanel 124 is designed to enclose the otherwise open front of theretainer 52 adjacent the leading edges 44 of cards 22 stored in thetray.

Depending lugs 122a, 122a integral with an extending from the loweredges of cover side panels 122, 122 are provided to engage appropriatelylocated mating slots 126, 126 formed in bottom panel 67, 67 when thecover 120 is positioned on the tray as shown in FIG. 11. With lugs 122a,122a engaged with slots 126, 126, the cover 120 can not be moved awayfrom the bottom panel 51 in direction parallel to the bottom edges ofthe cover side panels.

To prevent movement of the cover 120 in an upward or vertical directionaway from the retainer 52, once positioned on the tray to enclose it,lock devices 127, 127 are provided in the the cover top 121. The lockdevices 127, 127 are conventional key-operated locks having bolts 308,308 which are selectively bidirectionally driven in either of twoopposite directions depicted by arrows and 131 by appropriate turning ofa key (not shown) insertable in the lock devices 127, 127. When thebolts 128, 128 are driven in the direction of arrow 131, they enterslots 129, 129 formed in the upper front comers of retainer side panels70, 70 as best shown in FIG. 11, to lock the cover 120 relative to theretainer 52 over which it is positioned to enclose the same. Movement ofbolts 128, 128 in the direction of arrows 130, 130 disengages the boltsfrom their respective slots 129, 129 to unlock the cover 120 from theretainer 52.

When the cover 120 is positioned to enclose the tray, movement of thebottom panel 51 vertically downwardly and away from the cover top 121 isprevented by the engagement of lips 67, 67 of the bottom panel sidemembers 63, 63 which overlie ledges 85a, 86a of retainer feet 85, 86,the retainer itself being locked to the cover 120 against movement inany direction by engagement of lock bolts 128, 128 with cooperatingretainer side panel slots 129, 129. The bottom panel, of course, cannotmove away from the cover 120 in a direction parallel to the bottom edgesof cover side panels 122, 122 due to engagement of lugs 122a, 122a incooperating slots 126, 126 formed in bottom panel lips 67,67.

When the cover 300 is positioned to enclose the tray, the handle 108 isdisposed in its lower position shown in FIG. 3. In such position, arms110 extend parallel to bottom panel lips 67, 67, projecting throughcutout slots 135, formed in the lower corners of cover front panel 124.Also, with arms 110 in such lowered position, pins 112, 112 engage slots113, 113 formed in lips 66, 66 to further lock the bottom panel 51 andretainer 52 against relative sliding movement in a direction parallel tothe lower edges of retainer side panels 70, 70.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in association with coded cards having planar facesand an edge which in at least one operative orientation are disposed insubstantially parallel noncoplanar relationship with their edgesaligned, said apparatus comprising:

a card-selecting mechanism including a planar card-supporting surfacefor supporting a plurality of coded cards which are disposed in at leastone operative orientation perpendicular to said planar surface and inparallel noncoplanar relationship to each other with their edgesaligned,

a multipurpose device for storing cards independently of saidcard-selecting mechanism with their faces disposed in parallelnoncoplanar relationship and their edges aligned, and for transferringsaid cards to and from said card-selecting mechanism wherein said cardsare supported by said card-supporting surface, said device including,

a. a planar panel relative to which cards can move when beingtransferred between said device and said planar surface of saidcard-selecting mechanism, and

b. retaining structure at least partially enclosing said cards andpositionable between an engaged and disengaged position relative to saidpanel, and cooperating when engaged with said panel, to store said cardsand, when in the course of being positioned between said engaged anddisengaged positions, to move said cards relative to said planar paneland thereby transfer said cards between storage in said device andsupport by said card-supporting structure, respectively, said retainingstructure including 1. interconnected spaced opposite side panels eachhaving an edge engageable in direct contact with said planarcard-supporting surface when said retaining structure is positioned insaid selector, and

2. an elongated reference member spanning said side panels and spaceduniformly along its length from the plane of said lower side panel edgesat a predetermined distance correlated to the height of said cards, saidreference member limiting movement of said cards in a directionperpendicularly away from said card-supporting surface when cards arepositioned between said side panels and said retainer is in saidselector with said side panel edges in direct contact with said planarsurface.

Apparatus for use in association with coded cards having planar facesand an edge which in at least one operative orientation are disposed inparallel noncoplanar relationship with their edges aligned, saidapparatus comprising:

card-selecting mechanism including a card-supporting planar surface forsupporting a plurality of coded cards which are disposed in at least oneoperative orientation in parallel noncoplanar relationship with theiredges aligned, said card-selecting mechanism having an elongated lockbar selectively movable to a set position projecting above saidcard-supporting surface, multipurpose device for storing cardsindependently of said card-selecting mechanism, said cards being storedwith their faces disposed in parallel noncoplanar relationship and theiredges aligned, and for transferring said cards to and their edgesaligned, and for transferring said cards to and from said card-selectingmechanism wherein said cards are supported by said card-supportingsurface, said device including:

1. a planar panel relative to which cards can move when beingtransferred between said device and said planar surface of saidcard-selecting mechanism, and

2. retaining structure at least partially enclosing said cards andpositionable between an engaged and disengaged position relative to saidpanel, and cooperating when engaged with said panel, to store said cardsand, when in the course of being positioned between said engaged anddisengaged positions, to move said cards relative to said planar paneland thereby transfer said cards between storage in said device andsupport by said card-supporting structure, respectively, said retainingstructure including a. interconnected opposite sidewalls collectively atleast partially surrounding a plurality of said cards and susceptive ofbeing alternatively removably positioned in said selector with the loweredges of said sidewalls in direct contact with said card-supportingsurface and positioned independently of said selector to facilitatestorage of cards by said supporting surface of said selector and remotefrom said selector, respectively, said sidewall lower edges beingprovided with means to engage said lock bar when in said set position toprevent movement of said retaining structure relative to said cardsupporting surface of said selector, and

. an elongated reference member spanning said side panels and spaceduniformly along its length from the plane of said lower side panel edgesat a predetermined distance correlated to the height of said cards, saidreference member limiting movement of said cardsupporting surface whencards are positioned between said side panels and said retaineris insaid selector with said side panel edges in contact with said planarsurface. 3. A multipurpose device for storing and transferring cardshaving a sorting edge notched in a coded pattern which is useful with acard-selecting mechanism having a card-supporting surface for slidablyengaging the sorting edges of cards disposed perpendicularly theretowith their edges aligned and further having sorting bars selectivelyelevatable above said supporting surface into engagement with thenotched sorting edges of cards supported on said supporting surface.said device comprising:

a planar panel relative to which the sorting edges of cardsperpendicularly disposed thereto are adapted to slide when cards aretransferred between storage in said device and support by saidsupporting surface in said selector, said panel having opposite sidemembers each with inwardly projecting lips,

a retaining structure positionable between engaged and disengagedpositions relative to said panel, said retaining structure includingopposite sidewalls having outwardly projecting lips and a rear wall,said walls being susceptive of disposition perpendicular to said panelwith said sidewalls disposed between said side members and saidoutwardly projecting lips underlying said inwardly projecting lips whensaid retaining structure and panel are engaged, and susceptive ofdisposition perpendicular to said supporting surface with the loweredges of said sidewalls in direct contact with said supporting surfacewhen said retaining structure and panel are disengaged and saidretaining structure is in said card-selecting mechanism, coverconfigured to enclose at least a portion of said retaining structure,

movable lock bolts mounted to said cover for selectively engaging saidretaining structure sidewalls when said cover encloses said portion ofsaid retaining structure, and

detents fixed to one of said cover and panel when said cover enclosessaid portion of said retaining structure to prevent relative movementbetween said panel and said bolt-engaged cover and retaining structuresidewalls.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said cover includes opposite sidewallsadapted to enclose said retaining structure sidewalls, and wherein saiddetents extend from the lower edge regions of said cover sidewalls, andwherein said slots are formed in said inwardly extending lips of saidpanel side members.

5. For use with a card selector apparatus having a planar platen withsorting bars and a lock bar which are selectively elevatable above saidplanar platen to select cards having code notches along a sorting edgethereof, said cards being stored in upstanding face-to-face relationwith said sorting edges resting on said platen, the combinationcomprising a planar panel having spaced parallel upstanding oppositeside members,

a retainer having spaced parallel upstanding opposite sidewalls and anupstanding rear wall spanning said sidewalls adjacent the rear verticaledges thereof, said retainer side and rear walls being fixed relative toeach other, said retainer being positionable overlying said panel withsaid sidewalls between and adjacent said side members and positionableoverlying said planar platen with said sidewalls in direct contact withat least a portion of said platen,

notch means associated with said retainer sidewalls to permit saidsorting and lock bars, when said retainer overlies said platen, to beelevated without mechanical interference and to prevent sliding movementbetween said platen and said retainer,

means associated with said sidewalls and side members to limit relativemovement of said retainer and panel, when in overlying relation, tosliding movement in a direction UNEEED STATES PATENT @FHQE @ERTEEQATECQRREEQ'EMN Patent No. 3 F630 Dated December 28 197].

Inventor(s) h r (L OBrien It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

11, Lines M) and' fl. (Claim 22$ after earde to" delete --and theiredgee aligned,; and fer transferring said cards to--;

Column 11, Line 75 (Claim 2} 9 after "said" ineert --cards in adirection perpendieularly away from eaid-;

Column- 12," Linef3'. (Claim 2) F after "in" insert -:direct--;

Collumn 12, Line M (Claim 3:} after "panel" imeert for engagingcooperating elotefem'aed in the other of said cover and panel-.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May 59729 IISEAL} attest:

EDWARD MQFLETCHEm JR ROBERT GQTTSGIEALK attesting {)ffic gg Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-1050 (IO-69} USCOMM-DC 50376-P69 ILS. QOVITRNHENTPRINTING OFFICE: 1969 O3GIS-334

1. Apparatus for use in association with coded cards having planar facesand an edge which in at least one operative orientation are disposed insubstantially parallel noncoplanar relationship with their edgesaligned, said apparatus comprising: a card-selecting mechanism includinga planar card-supporting surface for supporting a plurality of codedcards which are disposed in at least one operative orientationperpendicular to said planar surface and in parallel noncoplanarrelationship to each other with their edges aligned, a multipurposedevice for storing cards independently of said card-selecting mechanismwith their faces disposed in parallel noncoplanar relationship and theiredges aligned, and for transferring said cards to and from saidcard-selecting mechanism wherein said cards are supported by saidcardsupporting surface, said device including, a. a planar panelrelative to which cards can move when being transferred between saiddevice and said planar surface of said card-selecting mechanism, and b.retaining structure at least partially enclosing said cards andpositionable between an engaged and disengaged position relative to saidpanel, and cooperating when engaged with said panel, to store said cardsand, when in the course of being positioned between said engaged anddisengaged positions, to move said cards relative to said planar paneland thereby transfer said cards between storage in said device andsupport by said card-supporting structure, respectively, said retainingstructure including
 1. interconnected spaced opposite side panels eachhaving an edge engageable in direct contact with said planarcardsupporting surface when said retaining structure is positioned insaid selector, and
 2. an elongated reference member spanning said sidepanels and spaced uniformly along its length from the plane of saidlower side panel edges at a predetermined distance correlated to theheight of said cards, said reference member limiting movement of saidcards in a direction perpendicularly away from said card-supportingsurface when cards are positioned between said side panels and saidretainer is in said selector with said side panel edges in directcontact with said planar surface.
 2. an elongated reference memberspanning said side panels and spaced uniformly along its length from theplane of said lower side panel edges at a predetermined distancecorrelated to the height of said cards, said reference member limitingmovement of said cards in a direction perpendicularly away from saidcard-supporting surface when cards are positioned between said sidepanels and said retainer is in said selector with said side panel edgesin direct contact with said planar surface.
 2. Apparatus for use inassociation with coded cards having planar faces and an edge which in atleast one operative orientation are disposed in parallel noncoplanarrelationship with their edges aligned, said apparatus comprising: acard-selecting mechanism including a card-supporting planar surface forsupporting a plurality of coded cards which are disposed in at least oneoperative orientation in parallel noncoplanar relationship with theiredges aligned, said card-selecting mechanism having an elongated lockbar selectively movable to a set position projecting above saidcard-supporting surface, a multipurpose device for storing cardsindependently of said card-selecting mechanism, said cards being storedwith their faces disposed in parallel noncoplanar relationship and theiredges aligned, and for transferring said cards to and from saidcard-selecting mechanism wherein said cards are supported by saidcard-supporting surface, said device including:
 2. retaining structureat least partially enclosing said cards and positionable between anengaged and disengaged position relative to said panel, and cooperatiNgwhen engaged with said panel, to store said cards and, when in thecourse of being positioned between said engaged and disengagedpositions, to move said cards relative to said planar panel and therebytransfer said cards between storage in said device and support by saidcard-supporting structure, respectively, said retaining structureincluding a. interconnected opposite sidewalls collectively at leastpartially surrounding a plurality of said cards and susceptive of beingalternatively removably positioned in said selector with the lower edgesof said sidewalls in direct contact with said card-supporting surfaceand positioned independently of said selector to facilitate storage ofcards by said supporting surface of said selector and remote from saidselector, respectively, said sidewall lower edges being provided withmeans to engage said lock bar when in said set position to preventmovement of said retaining structure relative to said card supportingsurface of said selector, and b. an elongated reference member spanningsaid side panels and spaced uniformly along its length from the plane ofsaid lower side panel edges at a predetermined distance correlated tothe height of said cards, said reference member limiting movement ofsaid cards in a direction perpendicularly away from said card-supportingsurface when cards are positioned between said side panels and saidretainer is in said selector with said side panel edges in directcontact with said planar surface.
 3. A multipurpose device for storingand transferring cards having a sorting edge notched in a coded patternwhich is useful with a card-selecting mechanism having a card-supportingsurface for slidably engaging the sorting edges of cards disposedperpendicularly thereto with their edges aligned and further havingsorting bars selectively elevatable above said supporting surface intoengagement with the notched sorting edges of cards supported on saidsupporting surface, said device comprising: a planar panel relative towhich the sorting edges of cards perpendicularly disposed thereto areadapted to slide when cards are transferred between storage in saiddevice and support by said supporting surface in said selector, saidpanel having opposite side members each with inwardly projecting lips, aretaining structure positionable between engaged and disengagedpositions relative to said panel, said retaining structure includingopposite sidewalls having outwardly projecting lips and a rear wall,said walls being susceptive of disposition perpendicular to said panelwith said sidewalls disposed between said side members and saidoutwardly projecting lips underlying said inwardly projecting lips whensaid retaining structure and panel are engaged, and susceptive ofdisposition perpendicular to said supporting surface with the loweredges of said sidewalls in direct contact with said supporting surfacewhen said retaining structure and panel are disengaged and saidretaining structure is in said card-selecting mechanism, a coverconfigured to enclose at least a portion of said retaining structure,movable lock bolts mounted to said cover for selectively engaging saidretaining structure sidewalls when said cover encloses said portion ofsaid retaining structure, and detents fixed to one of said cover andpanel for engaging cooperating slots formed in the other of said coverand panel when said cover encloses said portion of said retainingstructure to prevent relative movement between said panel and saidbolt-engaged cover and retaining structure sidewalls.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said cover includes opposite sidewalls adapted toenclose said retaining structure sidewalls, and wherein said detentsextend from the lower edge regions of said cover sidewalls, and whereinsaid slots are formed in said inwardly extending lips of said panel sidemembers.
 5. For use with a card selector apparatus having a planarplaten with sorting bars and a lock bar which are selectively elevatableabove said planar platen to select cards having code notches along asorting edge thereof, said cards being stored in upstanding face-to-facerelation with said sorting edges resting on said platen, the combinationcomprising a planar panel having spaced parallel upstanding oppositeside members, a retainer having spaced parallel upstanding oppositesidewalls and an upstanding rear wall spanning said sidewalls adjacentthe rear vertical edges thereof, said retainer side and rear walls beingfixed relative to each other, said retainer being positionable overlyingsaid panel with said sidewalls between and adjacent said side membersand positionable overlying said planar platen with said sidewalls indirect contact with at least a portion of said platen, notch meansassociated with said retainer sidewalls to permit said sorting and lockbars, when said retainer overlies said platen, to be elevated withoutmechanical interference and to prevent sliding movement between saidplaten and said retainer, means associated with said sidewalls and sidemembers to limit relative movement of said retainer and panel, when inoverlying relation, to sliding movement in a direction parallel to bothsaid panel and said sidewalls and members, and an elongated referencemember interconnecting said retainer sidewalls, said reference member,when said retainer sidewalls directly contact said platen, beinguniformly spaced from said platen along its length.